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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Bearded woman back in court

Paula K. Reynolds-Eblacas (The Spokesman-Review)
Paula K. Reynolds-Eblacas (The Spokesman-Review)
A woman who sometimes grows a full beard as a symbol of her activism for human rights is back in the Spokane County Superior Court system after a police officer said she grabbed his left testicle.

Paula K. Reynolds-Eblacas, 42, was convicted of stalking in 2006 after a woman said she tried to end a friendship but was inundated with phone calls and others contacts by Reynolds-Eblacas.

Read Tom Clouse's stories on that case here and here. (Reynolds-Eblacas entered an alford plea to violating a protection order and was credited for one day served in jail.)

Now Reynolds-Eblacas is facing a third-degree assault charge for an alleged attack while she was handcuffed last month.

Police were trying to transport her to a hospital for a mental evaluation when the officer "felt the pressure of Paula squeezing her fist and he thrust his hips away from her hand to break free," according to a probable cause affidavit.

"The defendant said, 'I was trying to grab your pant leg and your body got in the way,'" according to the affidavit.

Reynolds-Eblacas pleaded not guilty to the charge Monday.

Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.